Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-02-04
JAPAsEaE Art IN NEW YORK.
ABpsctsels which Pew People Have Ever
Seen on This Side Of the water.

Been On Ihfs Side oftns Wessr.
That everything that is worth seeing
can be seen In New York, Is not q truism
but II Is true that there are many things
that are worth observing that are not
generally seen.
But limited number Of persons are
aware that there are two rooms In one
OF the Japanese manufacturing and
trading companies that truly represent
o miniature house. and which are
finished, furnished and decorated in the
true Japanesestyle.
The house is tn work OF a firstclass
mechanic OF Toxic An ascent OF five
steps brings one TO the outer door. which
Is OF hardwood and sliding. as indeed are
ali the Japanese doors. which move with
out creak or jar
This door leads TO the reception or
tea" room. The ceiling Is con-
structed of woven bamboo variegated.
smoked and natural. Along the hard
wool wainscotting there is a border OF
lacauerrd wood and the walls are
covered with paper In gold spatterwork OF
q soft, artistic tone.
There is nothing nailed to the floor,
but under the feet Is mating which
feels unusually soft and springy. This
mating Is laid on a cushion or bed Of
straw about six inches thick. and in
closed In cloth and corresponding In
width to the mating
The size Of Japanese apartment Is
never given In feet or inches, but il
said 10 be room OF so many mattlngs.
and mating is generally understood 10
represent a space of three by ten feet.
The window in the reception-room is
made Of rice paper inst ad OF glass. and
gives just as much light ~ though con-
structed OF the latter material. although
1t is OF a softer tone. In Japan II Is
customary for only the richest class
to have rice-paper windows In their
dwellings.
This room contains a sideboard upon
which there are water bottles and tea
caddies. while underneath there is set
OF lacquer ware for rice and other cot
food, and porcelain ware for meat aud
fish.
In the centre of the room there stands
bronze fire-box containing bod OF
ashes of fern leaves. When II Is desired
to have a fire some charcoal Is placed
on those ashes and kindled In the open
air. and after the smoke escapes It Is
returned to the room and throws out Q
good heat.
Between the tsa-room and the parlor
are hand-painted silk-front sliding doors,
which can he opened from either SIDE.
The ceiling and wainscot,ing Of the par
lor are of various hard woods, the walls
and floors beng covered similar 10 those
OF the reception-room.
Here, of course, Is found an incense
burner and bronze smoking sets. But
few ornaments are visible. On opening
cup ourd, however. IN one corner OF
tn" ~ 'm. Narnns curios are found.
L Tu- is the prevailing custom inJapan,
ami ia" ~ ir's> al the hou.e changes
the ornament, from tame 10 time, put
ting hose not IN use in the cupboard.
On state ortasiurs, however. she dis
play, her entire collect on.
ABOut the house are scattered a num-
lrr I small Ninduws Win a panel OF
fret worA suh lanIhno rna,ies. There
ar not HnN ,-gIr> Ia the house. ih"ir
place. ,I.in. -.t,,lIr bv ctIsliun-.
o., q, It al the parlur there i
go -rI lllG ru which l. h"pt 80 'It
t.,-. -',rI guests, and the hu - 49,
posed to kneel before IL TO serve
them.
The woodwork and interior finish are
very simple, the doors and window
frames are without mouldings. and
there are no mattel carving Repeated
dustings and rubbings have given TO the
natural woni prlished surflce and
mellow tint.
The b'a iful lacquer work, formerly
So cX ru~rvely manufactured hy this
skiliul Iropl,, AMI which could be pro-
cured at ~ triiling cost, - now becom-
ing rare. in iacl, so Va IIahle has this
old lacquer work become. hat many
pieces OF II have been returned from
Paris. New York and other art centres
TO japan to br sold. IN. Y. Mail and
Express.